Take everything we love about pumpkin pie, shake it up with Código 1530 Rosa tequila, maple syrup, and fresh lemon, and you have one of the sweetest ways to toast the season. It’s ready in 7 minutes and made for Thanksgiving, Halloween parties, and every cozy fall evening in between.
Once autumn rolls around and Halloween is nearing, everything is made with pumpkin spice goodness! It’s one of those American traditions. Since pumpkin pie is the favorite fall pie, the pumpkin spice latte was sure to follow, then the pumpkin spice martini, and then the pumpkin spice margarita. And it’s even better when we add Código Tequila! Some people call this one the Thanksgiving Margarita, and with its sweet pumpkin and warming spices, it really is like having a slice of pumpkin pie in your glass. Pumpkin and tequila are a lovely match, which makes this a great fall cocktail for any holiday menu.
The Margarita has so many origin stories, and I love them all. Margarita means “daisy” in Spanish, and many cocktail historians believe the drink began as a tequila twist on the Brandy Daisy. Smithsonian magazine also shares the tale of Carlos “Danny” Herrera, who is said to have created it around 1938 at his restaurant near Tijuana, and the story of Dallas socialite Margarita Sames, who said she mixed the first one in Acapulco in 1948. Every version makes for a great story!What goes into a Código Tequila Pumpkin Pie Margarita
- Tequila: The base for this drink is tequila, and this recipe uses Código 1530 Rosa. It’s a blanco rested in Napa Valley Cabernet barrels, so it’s floral and light with a beautiful blush color. You can swap in an aged reposado if you wish.
- Pumpkin purée: You can’t make a pumpkin pie margarita without pumpkin purée! It’s smooth and blends in easily, and it brings a gorgeous autumn color and gentle earthy sweetness. Look for 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced. In the fall you can also roast and purée a fresh pumpkin.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds the brightness that cuts through the sweetness and keeps the drink lively. Fresh lime juice works too.
- Maple syrup: Maple syrup adds sweetness with a warm, toffee-like flavor that makes the whole drink feel cozy. Simple syrup or brown sugar syrup also work.
Which tequila is best for a pumpkin margarita?
Whether you call it a pumpkin pie margarita or a pumpkin spice margarita, the tequila makes a difference. Pumpkin and warm spices love a tequila with a little barrel influence, and that’s exactly what Código 1530 Rosa brings. It’s a blanco rested for about a month in Napa Valley Cabernet barrels, which gives it a blush-pink color and a floral lift with a hint of red fruit, without weighing the drink down. Código 1530 Reposado, which is also rested in Napa Cabernet barrels, is a lovely swap if you’d like a rounder, deeper margarita, and a good blanco keeps things crisp and agave-forward.
What tools you need to make Código Tequila Pumpkin Pie Margarita
You’ll need a cocktail shaker for this one! Grab a jigger, a strainer, and a rocks glass and you’re ready to go. The full method is in the recipe card below.
🍸 Top Tip(le): Pumpkin Pie Margarita variations:
- Cinnamon rim: Pour maple syrup into a shallow dish and dip the rim of your glass in it, then dip the rim in cinnamon sugar. Pour in the drink and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lemon or orange peel. A sprig of rosemary or thyme is pretty too.
- Graham cracker crust rim: For a true pumpkin pie experience, rim the glass with maple syrup and dip it in graham cracker crumbs!
- Pumpkin pie spice rim: If you can’t get enough pumpkin spice flavor, sprinkle a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice over the rim.
- Garnish variations: Add whatever you like: a lime wedge, a cinnamon stick, or dried orange.
- Types of tequila: Any will do, but I like a blanco or rosa. Why make a good margarita when you can make a great one?
- Pumpkin spice syrup: Add even more pumpkin flavor by making a simple syrup and stirring in pumpkin pie spice. When it cools, store it in the fridge to use later!
Serving it at Thanksgiving
The maple sweetness and warm cinnamon here are lovely with savory holiday dishes, so this is a natural welcome drink before the big meal or a pretty pour alongside roast turkey, stuffing, and a cheese board. Want a second fall option for the same table? The Código Tequila Apple Cider Margarita uses the same Rosa tequila, so one bottle covers both.
Where to find more margarita recipes
Here are a few of my favorites for that fall soirée or any time of year!
- How to Make the Margarita
- How to Make the Tommy’s Margarita
- How to Make the Hornitos Spicy Cucumber Margarita
Why Lush Life Loves It
This is the one for anyone who loves the idea of dessert in a glass but still wants a proper margarita. The Rosa gives it a gorgeous blush color and a floral lift, the pumpkin brings all the cozy fall flavor, and the lemon keeps everything bright. It takes just 7 minutes, and that cinnamon sugar rim makes every sip feel like a celebration.
Here is the recipe!
Código 1530 Pumpkin Pie Margarita
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
- 1 oz Pumpkin purée
- ½ oz Lemon Juice
- ¼ oz Maple Syrup
Instructions
- Wet rim of the glass in maple syrup and dip in cinnamon sugar
- Shake all ingredients and strain into glass over ice.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick and dried orange.